Developmental psychology
hide'Developmental psychology', also known as human development, is the scientific study of systematic psychological changes that occur in human beings over the course of the life span. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to include adolescence and adult development, aging, and the entire life span. This field examines change across a broad range of topics including motor skills and other psycho-physiological processes; cognitive development involving areas such as problem solving, moral understanding, and conceptual understanding; language acquisition; social, personality, and emotional development; and self-concept and identity formation.
Developmental psychology includes issues such as the extent to which development occurs through the gradual accumulation of knowledge versus stage-like development, or the extent to which children are born with innate mental structures versus learning through experience. Many researchers are interested in the interaction between personal characteristics, the individual's behavior, and environmental factors including social context, and their impact on development; others take a more narrowly focused approach.
Developmental psychology informs several applied fields, including: educational psychology, child psychopathology, and forensic developmental psychology. Developmental psychology complements several other basic research fields in psychology including social psychology, cognitive psychology, ecological psychology, and comparative psychology.
For more information about Developmental psychology, read the full article at
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News tagged with development
Two molecules affecting brain plasticity
Medicine & Health / Neuroscience
Nov 25, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- You wouldn't want a car with no brakes. It turns out that the developing brain needs them, too.
Tissue tension regulates tumor progression
Nov 23, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- UCSF scientists have shown for the first time that the rigidity of a tissue can induce cancer. The research team identified an enzyme that is crucial for regulating tissue stiffness and demonstrated that ...
It's a gas: New discovery may lead to heartier, high-yielding plants
Nov 23, 2009 |
3.7 / 5 (3) |
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In a research report published in the November 2009 issue of the journal Genetics, scientists show how a family of genes (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, or ACS genes) are responsible for production of ethyle ...
Researchers identify role of gene in tumor development, growth and progression
Nov 20, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
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Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth ...
Study uses brain scans to discover how children 'read' faces
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 20, 2009 |
not rated yet |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Oxford University scientists are using brain-scanning technology to understand how we learn to recognise and 'read' faces as children.
Modernization Affects Children's Cognitive Development
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 17, 2009 |
3.8 / 5 (6) |
2
(PhysOrg.com) -- Childhood is changing rapidly around the world, and the forces of modernization have a significant impact on shaping the intellectual development of children, researchers at the University of California, ...
Pilot study relates phthalate exposure to less-masculine play by boys
Nov 16, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (9) |
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A study of 145 preschool children reports, for the first time, that when the concentrations of two common phthalates in mothers' prenatal urine are elevated their sons are less likely to play with male-typical toys and games, ...
Security heightened ahead of Ubisoft's 'Avatar' game release
Nov 13, 2009 |
3.5 / 5 (2) |
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Security cameras in hallways, double locked doors and strict confidentiality clauses, Ubisoft employees are working in a veritable bunker in downtown Montreal to create their latest 3D video game.
When preschoolers ask questions, they want explanations
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 13, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (4) |
5
Curiosity plays a big part in preschoolers' lives. A new study that explored why young children ask so many "why" questions concludes that children are motivated by a desire for explanation.
Study offers tips on taming the boogie monster
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 13, 2009 |
3 / 5 (1) |
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Many parents of preschoolers struggle with their children's fears of real and imaginary creatures. A new study offers some ideas on how they can better manage their children's worries.
Ethnic pride may boost African-American teens' mental health
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 13, 2009 |
not rated yet |
1
Most adolescents who belong to an ethnic minority group wrestle not only with their self-esteem (like most teens), but also with identity issues unique to their ethnic group, such as dealing with social stigma. A new study ...
Awareness of racism affects how children do socially and academically
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 13, 2009 |
1 / 5 (2) |
6
Most children actively notice and think about race. A new study has found that children develop an awareness about racial stereotypes early, and that those biases can be damaging.
Youths see all parental control negatively when there's a lot of it
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 13, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
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A new study has found that young people feel differently about two types of parental control, generally viewing a type of control that's thought to be better for their development more positively. However, when parents are ...
Does modernization affect children's cognitive development?
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Nov 13, 2009 |
3 / 5 (2) |
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Societal and technological changes have taken place at a dizzying pace over recent decades. A new cross-cultural study aimed to determine whether these dramatic changes have had an effect on the thinking skills that are learned ...
Samsung Launches Open Mobile Platform: Samsung Bada
Nov 12, 2009 |
1 / 5 (3) |
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Samsung Electronics today announced it will launch its own open mobile platform, Samsung Bada [bada] in December. This new addition to Samsung’s mobile ecosystem enables developers to create applications for ...
